scribblechic

My cousin toasted her parents’ wedding anniversary with words of gratitude for her mother and father’s choice to dedicate themselves to one another through everyday commitments of selflessness and effort.  My aunt and uncle are celebrating their 49th anniversary.  In honor of this happy occasion, I paused to reflect on my cousin’s words.

I have always held romantic notions of those couples peeking from the pages of the newspaper; strangers in black and white images frozen in time from the moment of “I do” then projected into the present, mirrored body language and content smiles bookends to decades of a shared journey.  As I replace my fictional story lines for strangers with simple truths gathered from my own experiences and observations, my cousin’s words resonated.   Selflessness and effort.

Another couple, celebrating an anniversary just shy of my aunt and uncle’s, strain to hide unhappiness behind smiles.  They are bound by different choices; holding tightly to thoughts of hurt, blame, and entitlement.  Looking for moments of selflessness and effort between this couple, I could not find a good deed without a bill of acknowledgment.  This truth comes free of judgment, but with the eyes of a woman who wants to step cautiously, mindful of my own path.

My husband and I are novices.  Still, I hope this reminder born of celebration accompanies us into our future and that years from now our own photos will reflect a choice well lived.  Marriage is indeed a lifetime gesture of faith, an unending lesson in patience, and a journey shared.  The gift of selflessness, nurturing one another with kindness and compassion, as well as the gift of effort, ever mindful that each day requires a renewed vow to meet both the predictable and unknown endeavoring to give one’s best.  Congratulations to my aunt and uncle on their special day; and to their loved ones whose lives more beautiful for lessons shared.

Tagged: Anniversary, Marriage